Description
This Instant Pot Greek Chicken and Rice recipe delivers tender, flavorful chicken thighs paired with fragrant rice infused with lemon, garlic, and aromatic spices. Enhanced with Kalamata olives and crumbled feta cheese, this one-pot meal offers a delicious and easy Mediterranean-inspired dinner perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Rice
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup long-grain white rice (or basmati rice)
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (from about 1 lemon)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (from about 1 lemon)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For Serving
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Tzatziki sauce (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Sauté the chicken: Turn the Instant Pot to the “Sauté” mode and add the olive oil. Once hot, add the chicken thighs and brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Sauté the onion and garlic: In the same pot, add the chopped onion and garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, until softened and fragrant.
- Add the rice and spices: Stir in the rice, lemon zest, lemon juice, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix everything to coat the rice in the spices and garlic.
- Pressure cook the meal: Place the chicken thighs back into the Instant Pot on top of the rice. Add the chicken broth and Kalamata olives, ensuring the chicken is partially submerged in the broth.
- Set the Instant Pot: Close the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to “Sealing.” Cook on “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” on high for 8 minutes.
- Release pressure: Once the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes, then carefully turn the valve to “Venting” to release any remaining pressure.
- Serve: Remove the chicken thighs from the pot and shred or slice them. Fluff the rice with a fork and stir in the crumbled feta cheese.
- Garnish and enjoy: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with a side of tzatziki sauce, if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breasts for thighs, but cooking time remains the same. Ensure breasts are not too thick for even cooking.
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in lemon juice, olive oil, and oregano for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Use basmati rice for a more fragrant profile if preferred.
- If you don’t have Kalamata olives, substitute with black olives or green olives.
- Make sure to properly seal the Instant Pot lid and valve to ensure pressure cooking works effectively.
- Optional: Serve with tzatziki sauce or a side salad for a complete meal.
